Salmon and cream cheese pie

Salmon and cream cheese pie is a savory and indulgent dish that combines the rich flavors of salmon with creamy cheese in a flaky crust. Here’s a recipe to make this delicious pie:

Ingredients

For the Crust:

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup unsalted butter, chilled and cubed
• 1 large egg yolk
• 2-3 tablespoons ice water

For the Filling:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 8 ounces (225g) cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
• 1 teaspoon dried dill (or 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped)
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1 cup cooked salmon, flaked (about 1-2 fillets, depending on size)
• 1 cup baby spinach or chopped fresh parsley (optional)
• 2 large eggs
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

For Garnish (Optional):

• Fresh dill or parsley
• Lemon wedges

Instructions

1. Prepare the Crust:

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
3. Cut in Butter: Cut in the chilled butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces of butter remaining.
4. Add Egg Yolk: Add the egg yolk and mix until combined. Gradually add ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the dough just comes together.
5. Chill Dough: Form the dough into a disk, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

2. Prepare the Filling:

1. Cook Onion and Garlic: In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for another minute. Remove from heat and let it cool.
2. Mix Cream Cheese Mixture: In a bowl, mix together the softened cream cheese, sour cream (or Greek yogurt), dried dill (or fresh dill), and lemon zest until smooth.
3. Add Salmon and Spinach: Gently fold in the flaked salmon and spinach (or parsley) into the cream cheese mixture. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Add Eggs: Beat the eggs and stir them into the salmon mixture until well combined.

3. Assemble the Pie:

1. Roll Out Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to fit a 9-inch pie pan. Transfer the dough to the pie pan, pressing it into the bottom and up the sides. Trim any excess dough.
2. Fill Crust: Pour the salmon and cream cheese filling into the prepared crust, spreading it evenly.

4. Bake:

1. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the filling is set and the crust is golden brown.
2. Cool: Allow the pie to cool for about 10 minutes before slicing.

5. Garnish and Serve:

1. Garnish: Garnish with fresh dill or parsley and serve with lemon wedges if desired.

Enjoy your salmon and cream cheese pie! It’s perfect for a special meal or as a delightful addition to brunch or a picnic.